Join Sarasota County Environmental Specialist and super sleuth, Jeff Weber who will identify both native and non-native plants and resident wildlife inhabiting our preserves. No matter what the season, there is always something beautiful in bloom or the potential to see interesting wildlife. Explore a variety of natural habitats of the preserve (once the site of the famed Pollyanna Inn in 1922), catching glimpses of eastern red cedars, cabbage palms, Boston ferns and views of Dona Bay.

Bird watching is an adventure, and the fastest growing outdoor activity in America. If you enjoy the outdoors and the final class will be outdoors to locate and identify birds in the park. Each participant will need a field

guide and binoculars for sessions 2 thru 4. If not possible, the course leader will issue loaners. This series of classes are for beginners and those that would like a refresher. Classes will be taught by Charlie Sample, of Venice Area Audubon Society, an expert birder, with 65 years’ experience in the art of birding. The material taught in this series is best suited for adults.

Join Sarasota County Environmental Specialist, Alyssa Vinson at Lemon Bay Park for a discussion about our native mangrove ecosystems. You will learn how to identify the three mangroves in Florida, discuss identification, ecological significance and trimming regulations. Be prepared to walk for the majority of the time.

Looking for an opportunity to get a little fresh air, meet new people and get healthier and stronger? Join us for a walk to improve health, balance and overall fitness. Enjoy the exercise stations (especially for walkers 50-plus) along the trail. This is a gentle workout and not for advanced fitness buffs. The goal: to strengthen muscles, help minimize the risk of falls, instill a sense of well-being and quality of life through exercise and companionship. Wear comfortable athletic shoes and sun protection and/or hat and bring water. Be prepared to walk 1 – 2 miles on paved and relatively even unpaved trails.

Join a Sarasota County Environmental Specialist at Old Miakka Preserve for a guided hike during ‘Prescribed Fire Awareness Week’ at this rural eastern Sarasota County site. Participants will learn about the history of fire in Florida and how Sarasota County uses prescribed burning to manage many of our natural area parks and preserves. Explore recently-burned areas at Old Miakka Preserve and learn about how fire-dependent habitats and wildlife species have evolved to coexist with periodic fires and see, firsthand, how they respond and thrive after an area is burned.

FIRE FEST! provides a first-hand look at how prescribed burns protect our communities and property from wildfires, as well as maintain Florida’s natural ecosystems for present and future generations. A part of Prescribed Fire Awareness Week, FIRE FEST! is a fun opportunity for the whole family to learn how fire is used carefully and effectively on our natural lands, right here in Sarasota County. All Welcome!

Calling all birding enthusiasts! Be tantalized and wowed by the vast array of bird species and nature found at the beautiful T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve (Carlton Reserve). Join Sarasota County volunteer guide Charlie Sample as he leads you on a birding nature journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to help document the multitude of bird species on the Carlton Reserve. You won’t be disappointed!

Join a Sarasota County Environmental Specialist at Red Bug Slough Preserve to hear about creative and innovative strategies land managers use when the suburbs are our neighbors. Learn about special management practices and some of the unique challenges involved with managing these sites. Participants will learn about methods used to manage fire dependent habitats, techniques to mitigate wildfire danger and how staff protects rare species and habitats while balancing the needs of public recreation.

Join Dr. Bill Dunson, retired Penn State University biology professor, and a long-time resident of the area, for a PowerPoint presentation describing how he has modified his yard on Manasota Key over the past 22 years to improve the habitat for birds, reptiles, butterflies and other wildlife. Over 160 species of plants and 140 species of birds have been reported from this lot. A mixture of native and non-invasive exotic plants has been planted to provide an appropriate selection of flowers, fruits and leaves for consumption and use as refuges by animals.

Afterwards, the group will walk the park to identify good plants for wildlife habitat.

Join Sarasota County volunteers, amateur botanists and Florida Native Plant Society members, Denny Girard and Al Squires as they walk Sarasota’s Circus Hammock leading you on a hike through a unique urban preserve under a canopy of oaks, red maple, hackberry, and American elm.

Join Ray Vinson, Sarasota County Parks Naturalist,to explore the mixed hardwood forest at Pinecraft Park. Winter time at Pinecraft Park differs from most of Sarasota County forests due to the large number of deciduous trees. The canopy and understory open up as leaves fall during our brief winter season.

Florida does have seasons, not just for hurricanes and warm vs. hotter weather. Join Sarasota County Volunteer Master Naturalists and Shamrock Park Staff to stroll the trails, relying on changing seasons to bring us new flowers and birds’ nests, insects and animal activity. A little serendipity will find things in unexpected places!

Join American Littoral Society Biologist, Chuck Idelberger, on a search for marine life in Lemon Bay. Using hand and seine nets, you will search shallow waters and seagrass beds, observing, collecting, and discussing the natural history of some of the many interesting fishes and other animals that inhabit the bay.

Join a Sarasota County Environmental Specialist for a special Valentine’s Day stroll through the shady woodlands at Pocono Trail Preserve. Along the way, learn about native plant lore associated with love as we search for early blooms that may greet us along the way. Enjoy the beautiful live oak and cabbage palm hammocks as we celebrate love and share our admiration of nature’s timeless beauty.

Join a Sarasota County Environmental Specialist at Curry Creek Preserve to hear about creative and innovative strategies land managers use when the suburbs are our neighbors. Learn about special management practices and some of the unique challenges involved with managing these sites. Participants will learn about methods used to manage fire dependent habitats, techniques to mitigate wildfire danger and how staff protects rare species and habitats while balancing the needs of public recreation.

Learn how the use of rain barrels can conserve water, save money by reducing the use of potable water in landscapes (lower utility bills), and reduce stormwater runoff by storing and diverting runoff from impervious surfaces (roofs). Practical tips on the construction and installation will be provided. Rain barrels will be for sale for $37 each, includes tax and spigot assembly. Cash or check accepted.

Got bikes? It’s perfect weather to grab the whole family to join Sarasota County and Carlton Reserve volunteer guides David Reynolds and Gary Vasbinder for an off-road wilderness bicycle ride through the beautiful T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve (Carlton Reserve) on Sunday, January 15 from 10 a.m. for approximately 1 to 2 hours. Expect to see lots of wildlife!

Why is it called “Celery Fields”? Why is Celery Fields so popular? And just what is that mountain made of? Learn the answers to these questions and more as you join a Sarasota County Parks Naturalist on a guided walk through the Celery Fields. Be prepared to walk approximately two-miles along mostly unpaved and often uneven rocky or grassy surfaces, some of which will be uphill.

Join Sarasota County Environmental Specialist and super sleuth, Jeff Weber at Red Bug Slough Preserve, an urban natural area site, from 9 – 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22 as he leads you on an exploratory fun, journey through pine flatwoods, and oak hammocks highlighting both native and non-native plants and animals of the preserve. No matter what the season, there is always something beautiful in bloom or the potential to see interesting wildlife.

Join Sarasota County volunteer guides and Florida Native Plant Society members Al Squires and Denny Girard, for a walk and talk on Jelks Preserve to discover invasive plants. Along the way, participants will learn how to identify some of the most common invasive plant species, learn how these species are managed and find out about how you can help. Samples of local invasive exotic plants and a free publication will be available to you during the event.

Join Sarasota County Environmental Specialist and super sleuth, Jeff Weber at Curry Creek Preserve, an urban natural area site, as he leads participants on an explorative journey of discovery through pine flatwoods and oak hammocks highlighting both native and non-native plants and animals of the preserve. No matter what the season, there is always something beautiful in bloom or the potential to see interesting wildlife.

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